To my truly dear friend (and ex-tutor of English Literature) Vesko Budakov, whose name (quite unexpectedly) became a search-word leading to my Horseshoe Blog
He was the assistant of a Female Tutor from Turnovo (a genius enchanted by the talent of William Blake), notorious for being hard to please with even more than sufficient knowledge of the English writers… The night before the exam I asked Ves to excuse himself when my turn was about to come (which he duly did the next day – such a subtle sense of friendship!). In my heart I had far more respect for him, than I had for Her – the Tutor. I would be more relaxed with him outside the room.
Sense and sensibility
My „Chinese lucky piece“ –
A novel.
The Exam could begin.
His eyes gleamed (somehow in conspiracy)
as She demanded (loftily) my booklet.
I panicked. (Why, the hell,
diminutive
for Austen’s novel?!)
I had it not with me.
Full gaping, with a voic-ed stammer,
I vaguely felt my lips to utter:
– Regretfully, it is at home…
She grew a little pale, then hurried
to rush into a blush (Her turn to gape):
– You can’t have come… WITHOUT your booklet!
Truly, I had it not.
My sense, that is.
The sensibility had taken over.
His eyes were somehow shocked,
then blazing with a-muse-ment:
– Val, She meant
your student’s booklet,
dear!
He hurried to excuse himself
and vanished
in the rear.
* * *
I had an „A+“. She even suggested a paper on the book – under her guidance. 🙂 Such a pity I did not take the opportunity!